Inconsistency rules as we reach cricket season’s halfway point

Encouraging results and wins are proving difficult to follow up and turn into solid, progressive form.
In week nine, Paignton could not back up their invigorating win at North Devon, slipping to a 70-run home defeat to Sidmouth, in the Premier Division. Bryce Parsons smashed 161, with Taylor Ingham-Hill 100 not out, in Sidmouth’s formidable 331-5.
Most of Paignton’s batters got a start but they could only muster 261 in reply, all out in the 46th over.
Bovey Tracey are on a four-game losing streak after Exmouth comfortably chased down 224 to beat them by seven wickets.
Paignton (eighth) are home again in week ten to new league leaders Sandford, whose seven-wicket win over Cornwood saw them swap places at the top.
Bovey (sixth) are also home again, to third place Bradninch and Kentisbeare.
Torquay similarly failed to follow up two impressive away wins in A Division. Clyst St George scored well, on a traditionally fast Recreation Ground outfield, posting 295-8. Ruan Terblanche recorded his third ‘ton’ of the summer (117) but Torquay ran out of batters in the 47th over, falling 34 runs short.
Abbotskerswell did manage to make it two from two thanks to an impressive 121-run win at Tavistock. Jack Neylon (137) led with the bat again in their 281-9. Noah Tobias took 4-37 as Tavi were reduced to 160 all out in reply.
Torquay stay second behind Exeter and take on bottom-placed Tavistock at The Rec on Saturday. Abbots (eighth) will fancy another win when they meet Budleigh Salterton (ninth) at Two Mile Oak.
In B Division, a resurgent Ipplepen upset Barton’s recent good run. A low-scoring game at Cricketfield Road saw Barton dismissed 26 runs short of Ipplepen’s 155 - Noah Rider, the pick of Ipplepen’s bowlers, taking 4-35.
Barton, who drop to fourth, travel to East Devon to play Seaton (ninth) in week ten, as Ipplepen (eighth) host Bideford, Littleham and Westward Ho! (second).
The top-of-the-table clash in C Division West saw Stoke Gabriel leapfrog Cornwood 2nds thanks to an impressive 119-run win - Jack Tolley smashed 112 not out in Stoke’s 256-4 and Cornwood always second best in reply. Jake Robinson’s 5-33 was significant in bowling them out for 137.
Brixham comfortably beat struggling Babbacombe by eight wickets at North Boundary Road. Wickets were shared around as Babbacombe stuttered to 100 all out. Brixham got the job done quickly, in the 14th over, for the loss of two wickets.
Still no first win for Dartington and Totnes, losing at home to Kingsbridge by four wickets.
Back on top, Stoke next go to Ivybridge (now second). Brixham (fourth) travel to Plymouth 2nds (seventh). Babbacombe (ninth) visit Kingsbridge (fifth) and Darts (bottom) take on Cornwood 2nds (third) at Foxhole.
Teignmouth and Shaldon are 30 points clear in C Division East. Ruben Minnaar hit 130 of their 317-8 at Sidmouth 2nds, the home side falling short by 77 runs in reply.
Teigns roll onto Alphington and Countess Wear next week, confident of securing their ninth win.
South Devon are second behind Paignton 2nds in D Division West. Dillip Salinda top scored with 90 in their 282-6, which Ivybridge 2nds never looked like getting.
Chelston and Kingskerswell’s poor form continued with a 64-run home loss to Barton 2nds.
South Devon are at home to Lewdown (seventh) this week. When Chelston and Kingskerswell (ninth) host Ipplepen 2nds (fifth).
Finally, congratulations to Ipplepen who beat holders Bovey Tracey by seven runs to lift the Brockman Cup. Last Friday evening’s game was reduced to 18 overs a side at the Recreation Ground, Torquay.
Hear more local cricket on David Hammond's radio show, South Devon Sports Scene, broadcast every Wednesday from 6pm on Riviera FM (107.9FM)